Near infrared spectrometer used in combination with an agricultural implement for real time grain and forage analysis

Abstract

An apparatus and method for combining NIR spectography with an implement including a combine or a chopper for measuring major constituents of harvested products in real time includes a monochromator or other sensor having no moving optical parts. The monochromator includes a fixed diffraction grating and a photodiode collector comprised of a plurality of photodiodes. A radiation source irradiates a product sample and the reflected radiation is transmitted to the diffraction grating. By analyzing the intensities and wavelengths of the reflected radiation at the photodiode collector, the presence and amount of major constituents of the harvested product can be determined. The present invention may be used on or with a research combine or chopper along with the conventional instrumentation which measures the weight, moisture, and volume of products harvested in a test plot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for measuring constituents of cut up agricultural produce on an implement comprising: a device coupled to the implement for forming a flow of the cut up product past a sensing location of a sensor;   a radiation source coupled to the implement and adapted to irradiate the product as the product flows past the sensing location;   the sensor mounted on the implement and adapted to receive radiation from the radiation source reflected from the product or passed through the product, the sensor comprising a monochromator including a dispersive element immovably coupled to the monochromator and a photodiode array immovably coupled to the monochromator for detecting radiation dispersed by the dispersive element; and   a data processor connected to the sensor for identifying and/or determining the constituents in or characteristics of the agricultural product from the radiation received by the sensor.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispersive element is comprised of a diffraction grating. 
     
     
       3. A method of measuring constituents of cut up agricultural product comprising the steps of: providing an implement for harvesting the agricultural product by cutting up the agricultural product;   providing a monochromator, the monochromator including a photodiode array and a fixed dispersive element;   providing a moving stream of the cut up agricultural product;   providing a radiation source near the moving stream of the product harvested by the implement;   applying radiation to the moving stream of product;   sensing radiation that is reflected off of or passed through the moving stream of the product; and   analyzing the sensed radiation to determine various constituents or characteristics of the agricultural product.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the step of providing a moving stream of agricultural product further comprises the steps of: collecting a sample of the product on a conveyor; and   moving the conveyor past the monochromator to form the moving stream of agricultural product.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising the step of controlling the depth of the sample of the product on the conveyor to provide a substantially flat area to sense. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing a second substantially vertical conveyor disposed above the conveyor to control the depth of the sample of the product on the conveyor. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising the step of adjusting the rate of flow of the moving stream of agricultural product. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for measuring constituents of a harvested product on an agricultural implement comprising: a sensor coupled to the implement at a location proximate a flow of the harvested product;   a light source for irradiating the product as the product flows past the sensor, the light source being positioned such that light irradiated toward the product is sensed by the sensor;   a monochromator having no moving optical components located in the implement, the monochromator being operatively connected to the sensor such that light sensed by the sensor is transmitted to the monochromator; and   a processor operatively connected to the monochromator for identifying and determining the presence and/or amount of constituents in or characteristics of the product.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the light source is positioned such that the light is reflected off of the product and sensed by the sensor. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the light source is positioned such that the light is transmitted through the product and sensed by the sensor. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the agricultural implement is comprised of a chopper. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the agricultural product is comprised of forage. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the agricultural implement is comprised of a combine. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the agricultural product is comprised of grain. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the agricultural implement is comprised of a flowing grain monitor. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the agricultural implement is comprised of a conveyor of agricultural product. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for measuring constituents of a harvested product comprising: a device having an inlet and outlet and a mechanism to receive harvested product at the inlet and move it in a flow to the outlet;   a sensor coupled to the implement at a location proximate the flow of the harvested product;   a light source for irradiating the products as the product flows past the sensor, the light source being positioned such that light irradiated toward the product is sensed by the sensor;   a monochromator having no moving optical components positioned at or near the sensing locations, the monochromator being operatively connected to the sensor such that light sensed by the sensor is transmitted to the monochromator; and   a processor operatively connected to the monochromator for identifying and determining the amount of constituents in the product.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising positioning the apparatus on or near one of the following: a combine, a chopper, a flowing grain monitor, a conveyor of agricultural product. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising an outlet adapted to direct the flowing agricultural product to a transport vessel.